ANANDA (BLISS)

(Based on Sri Mukkoor Lakshmi Narasimhacharya’s lectures)

According to the Dwaita system of philosophy established by Sri Madhvacharya, there is difference in the Ananda (bliss) enjoyed by the various entities. There is difference in the experience of Moksha (liberation). The Visishtadvaitha system of Sri Ramanuja, on the other hand, states that there is no such difference in the enjoyment of Ananda (bliss). The Advaitha system founded by Sri Sankara avers that there could be no greater blss if a jeeva (individual soul) attains the awareness that it is the Brahman (Supreme God) itself.

Pramana sloka on dwaita philosophy

SrimanMadhvaMateh Harihi Parataraha Satyam Jagat Tattvato

Bhedo Jeevaganaha Hareranucharaaha Neechochabhaavam gataaha

Mukthihi Naijasukhaanubhuthihi, Amalaabhaktischa Tatsaadhanam

Hyakshaaditritayam Pramanam Akhilaamnayaikavedhyo Harihi

Sri Hari (Sri Narayana) is the Supreme God. Sri Mahalakshmi is junior to Him. The different classes of jeevas (selves or animate beings) are dependents of Sri Narayana. And they have higher or lower grades among themselves. For attaining Sri Narayana (Mukti or salvation), Vedas are like eyes to us. Salvation is only achieved through Bhakti (flawless intense devotion) to the Supreme God. Correct knowledge of Sri Narayna can be acquired through all the Holy Scriptures and only through them.

According to Sri Madhvacharya, there are four states or types of God’s grace (Chaturmargam). These are:

Salokya: Living in the same station/locality where one’s (Ishta Devata) preferred deity’s temple is situated.

Sameepya: Serving in the premises of the above-stated temple.

Saroopya:  Serving as a priest in the sanctum sanctorum of the same temple.

Sayujyam : Offering whole-hearted worship inside the above sanctum sanctorum.

Thus there are differences in the bliss arising out of the enjoyment of God’s grace. Sri Madhvacharya has established that the above differences arise depending on the gradation (higher or lower) of the concerned jeevas. He has based his conclusion on the basis of the declarations in the Taittiriya Upanishad.

Visitadvaita lays down that the jeeva (individual soul) gets the full enjoyment equivalent to that of the Supreme God. The soul is blessed with the same enjoyment and the same all-perfect knowledge as God Himself and attains full awareness of Brahman (Supreme God). In this awareness/bliss, there is no ranking or gradation at all.

Thus the declarations in the Holy Scriptures have been used in the supporting arguments of the three systems of philosophy. Matha means idea/opinion. The three Acharyas (Gurus or highly revered teachers) enunciated statements in the Upanishads as their own considered opinions and they then used those portions of the Upanishads supporting their theories.